The ManicaPost
Susan Nyamangodo Post Correspondent
CHIPINGE Town Council (CTC), in partnership with UNICEF, has embarked on the construction of three public toilets in the Central Business District (CBD) following serious health concerns raised by stakeholders.
Chipinge town secretary Dr Susan Dube said the project, which costs $120 000 per facility, should be complete by the end of next week.
“We do not have toilets that are accessible to the public in the CBD and this has been a big challenge for the people. The people have raised this issue a number of times, hence our decision to allocate $120 000 towards the project which we hope should be through by the end of next week.
“The issue of public toilets in the town had become a serious one, it had become topical with residents saying they were facing challenges when they want to answer the call of nature while going about their business,” she said.
Dr Dube said they facilities will be for free, and urged the public to utilise them responsibly.
“Council is funding the construction of one toilet while Unicef is financing the construction of two. We all appreciate the importance of ablution facilities and people should use them responsibly. They must guard against their vandalism,” said Dr Dube.
Chipinge district development coordinator (DDC) Mr William Mashava said administering an area without public ablution facilities is very difficult.
“It is very difficult to run a town where people do not have access to public toilets. Such a scenario forces members of the public to relieve themselves in secluded dark corners, tarnishing the image of the town. It is against that background that we are constructing the public toilets,” he said.
Mr Mashava said the issue of public toilets was vigorously agitated for by vendors operating in the CBD.
“Lots of people swarm the CBD going about their businesses and with that comes a responsibility to provide ablution facilities. Vendors spend most of their time in the city centre, and the nature of their duties demands these facilities within reach,” he said.
